Kabale leaders want the proposed Kigezi Regional Development Plan to prioritise poverty reduction, address rising school dropout rates among boys and increase road funding to improve access and trade.
Leaders in Kabale District have called for the proposed Kigezi Regional Development Plan to prioritise poverty reduction, curb school dropout among boys and increase funding for road infrastructure to address the sub-region’s development challenges.
The leaders made the call during a consultative meeting organised by the National Planning Authority (NPA) at Kabale District headquarters to review the draft regional development plan.
Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe said the plan should include clear interventions to reduce poverty and address rising dropout rates among boys, which he identified as major obstacles to development.
Mugabe also questioned the Shs1 billion allocation for roads, saying it was insufficient given Kigezi’s hilly and mountainous terrain, which makes road construction and maintenance expensive.
“The Shs1 billion allocated for roads is insufficient given the hilly and mountainous terrain of Kigezi, which makes road construction and maintenance expensive,” Mugabe said.
He called for increased investment in road infrastructure to improve accessibility, boost trade and enhance service delivery across the sub-region.
Kabale District Chairperson Denis Nzeirwe urged planners to align national development priorities with district development plans to ensure coordinated and equitable development across Kigezi.
The consultations are intended to gather views from local leaders and other stakeholders to improve the draft regional plan before its finalisation.
The leaders said addressing poverty, keeping boys in school and improving transport infrastructure would be critical to ensuring that the proposed plan delivers tangible benefits to communities across the sub-region.